In an effort to combat the introduction of illegal drugs into the county jail system, the Stephens County Board of Commissioners approved the purchase of a Tek84 Intercept body scanner in late November 2024.
Funded through the opioid response fund, the initiative aims to intercept contraband before it ever enters the jail.
The cost of the new scanner was just over $178,000.
The advanced body scanning technology was delivered to the Stephens County Jail in January 2025. Over the past two months, jail staff have worked closely with Tek84 representatives to install the machine and complete comprehensive training for detention officers.
Designed to detect both metallic and non-metallic threats, the Tek84 Intercept scanner can identify concealed items such as weapons, drugs, and cell phones. The system includes a wall-mounted touchscreen monitor, photo-matching capabilities, and an ICI thermal scanner for detecting potential medical issues—helping officers spot inconsistencies that could signal hidden contraband or health concerns.
The scanner was officially put into use during the week of March 24–28, when jail staff began screening all incoming inmates with the new system. Within the first week of operation, authorities say officers successfully discovered more than half an ounce of suspected methamphetamine and a small quantity of marijuana concealed on a female arrestee brought in by another agency.
The contraband was hidden in an area not easily searched during roadside arrest procedures, but the x-ray technology allowed officers to detect and confiscate the substances before the individual was booked.
County officials hope the new scanner will significantly reduce the presence of illegal drugs in the jail, enhancing safety for both staff and inmates.
“Fighting the drug epidemic is a top priority for the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office,” Sheriff Rusty Fulbright said. “By using this cutting-edge technology, we can hopefully intercept dangerous drugs and other contraband before they reach our inmates and stop the dangerous flow of illegal substances within our facility. This is just one of the many steps we are taking to curb the drug crisis in our community and ensure that our detention center remains safe and secure for everyone.”
